Student of the Quarter

Josiah Hall – January 2017

Josiah Hall was born April 8th, 2002 and is a 14 year old student at Lockhart Middle School in Orlando, Florida where is an active member in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band under the direction of Naomi J. Nelson, OCPS Band Director. Josiah has had a passion and strong interest in music since his early years. He currently plays 4 instruments to include his primary instrument: the Bass Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, and Baritone Saxophone.

Josiah consistently performs with excellence and earned (2) Superior Medals for Bass Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone at the 2016 Orange County Public Schools FBA Solo & Ensemble Performances. He was a member of the 2016 Orange County Public Schools All County Band as 1st Chair Bass Clarinet in the 7th Grade, was selected as well as in the 2016 University of South Florida’s Symphonic Celebration.

After a successful audition, he was selected to perform in the 2017 Orange County Public Schools All County Band on Bass Clarinet as well as the Florida Band Masters Association 2017 Middle School All State Ensemble on Bass Clarinet.

Josiah is currently awaiting his audition to the OCPS Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Magnet School in Orlando, Florida and hopes to become a high school drum major as well as a middle school Band Director after music study at the collegiate level.

Andrew Kennedy – July 2014

Andrew Kennedy is an accomplished musician that plays bass guitar, clarinet, and saxophone, and is currently studying flute. He started playing at the age of 10, has continued working to master his skills, and aspires to become a proficient Jazz musician as well as a music educator. At present, Andrew performs with the Ocoee Jazz Knights Big Band as the lead tenor sax and is the current leader of the Knights Jazz Combo. He also performs in the wind ensemble as the second chair clarinetist. An incoming senior at Ocoee High School, Andrew is learning music theory as well as music composition.

Last year, Andrew earned a position in the Orange County All County Symphonic Band playing clarinet. He has also earned the accomplishment of Superior for a Jazz Combo performing clarinet in Dave Brubeck’s Take Five. Andrew has played alongside accomplished musicians such as Scott Wilson, Dave Becker, Jaritt Sheel and Scotty Barnheart and has been honing his classical and jazz skills studying with Yamaha recording artist Jim Snyder. Andrew has performed at venues including The Abbey, the annual Sunshine Jazz Fest, the Oakland Wine and Dine, Downtown Disney, Universal Macy’s parades, and the Memphis Liberty Bowl alongside The Temptations.

With a heart for service, Andrew has also given countless volunteer hours playing bass guitar for the Oakland Presbyterian Church Praise Team and supporting the music programs, as well as volunteering for local non-profit organizations such as S.T.A.R.S., Mathew’s Hope, and Bread of Life Fellowship. He is currently exploring Florida Universities to pursue a Master’s Degree in Music Education and Jazz Studies and aspires to be a music educator and a performing artist.

Cameren Anai Williams – March 10, 2014

Cameren Anai Williams is 13 years old and she attends Bak Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach. She is a double major in strings (viola), voice and she plays piano. In school, she is the principal violist of the Advanced Orchestra, full orchestra, and the 8th Grade Chamber Ensemble (under the direction of Nancy Beebe) and she is a member of the Girls’ Chorus and the Bak Chorale (under the direction of Connie Drosakis). She is also the principal violist of the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County Philharmonic Orchestra (under the direction of Dr. Kyle Prescott), a former member of Young Singers of the Palm Beaches (under the direction of D. Shawn Berry), a member of the Principal Orchestra of Florida Youth Orchestra in Broward County, and a student of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s School of Music Preparatory Department (studying with Mrs. Belen Clifford). She is also a student of Prof. Richard Fleischman of Miami, Florida. Furthermore she has studied under Jane Schranze (Interlochen), Jennifer Arnold (Sphinx), Christopher Jenkins (Sphinx), Gareth Johnson, as well as masterclasses with several other noted violists.